Bayern Munich: Thomas Muller set for new role during Ruckrunde
The upcoming second half of the season is set to be a unique situation for coaches at the club level. They have not tackled a big break in the first half of the season since World Cups are generally taking place at the end of the season. Bayern Munich head coach Julian Nagelsmann will also meet all his players together for the first time next week after the group departed for the World Cup break in mid-November.
Nagelsmann will have to carefully manage the workload of players and get them back in the rhythm ahead of the resumption of the Bundesliga on January 21. Unlike Premier League coaches, Bundesliga coaches will get two weeks in January to prepare for a gruesome second half of the season.
Ruckrunde will also witness some intriguing tactical switches from teams as they adapt to the hectic schedule. Julian Nagelsmann will reportedly consider moving a key player further high on the pitch during the second half of the season.
According to AZ, Nagelsmann is planning to use Thomas Muller as a number nine during Ruckrunde. The German forward has previously played in this role, but he has largely operated as a number ten in the past five seasons.
Muller’s switch to the number nine role will see Jamal Musiala play in the number ten position. The youngster has thrived in this role since he has the tools to be a creative force in the final third. Considering Musiala’s splendid performances for Bayern in the first half of the season, it is wise to play to his strengths.
Thomas Muller can do justice to the role of striker. His finishing is decent, and he can hold the ball well higher up the pitch. Moreover, Muller’s awareness of space in the final third is second to none. He can make those darting runs in the box that can cause unsettle the opposition’s defense.
Muller will be competing with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in the number nine position. The Cameroon forward has been in devastating form for Die Roten since the start of October. He has scored 11 goals for Bayern across all competitions. It will be intriguing to see how Nagelsmann rotates these two experienced forwards in the number nine position.
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Nagelsmann will have the opportunity to test Thomas Muller as a nine against RB Salzburg in a friendly game next month. The defending Bundesliga champions will be resuming their Bundesliga campaign against RB Leipzig on January 2021.